9. Psalms pt. 1

Question 1

What does the superscription indicate for the Psalm?

Answer 1

1. authorship (e.g. by/of David),
2. historical setting (e.g. Psalm 3 “when he fled from Absalom”),
3. type of psalm (e.g. Psalm, Song, Prayer et al.),
4. function of the psalm (e.g. Song of Ascent).

Question 2

How many superscriptions are there (across the traditions)? And Psalms without?

Answer 2

1. 116 MT
2. 32 LXX
3. Only Psalm 1 and 2 are without

Question 3

How many Psalms attributed to David?

Answer 3

1. 73 MT
2. 13 LXX
3. 86 total

Question 4

What does the superscription of ledawid (“Of David” [NIV]) mean? And what does it not mean?

Answer 4

1. By David (it does not mean “for the royal house,” for the reigning descendant of David,” “belonging to a Davidic collection”)

Question 5

What is the core collection of the Psalms?

Answer 5

books 1-3, with the last two added sometime later

Question 6

What is the earliest evidence for the 5 book Psalter?

Answer 6

The LXX Psalter

Question 7

What are the main pieces of evidence for the MT 150 Psalm Psalter?

Answer 7

1. MT
2. LXX
3. Masada fragments

Question 8

What is the approximate date of compilation for the five book Psalter?

Answer 8

3rd century BC

Question 9

What is the redactional agenda themes that gives cohesion to the Psalter as a book?

Answer 9

1. wisdom
2. eschatology
3. worship

Question 10

What is the evidence for a purposeful redaction of the Psalter? (points 1-4)

Answer 10

1. a clear introduction (Psalms 1-2).
2. a clear conclusion (Psalms 146-150).
3. Doxologies that divide into 5 books
4. seams of books, Royal Psalms, reinforce a hermeneutical grid

Question 11

What is the evidence for a purposeful redaction of the Psalter? (points 5-7)

Answer 11

5. At various points, adjacent psalms have lexical and thematic links which indicate placed together intentionally.
6. Intentionality seen in 42-89 chiasm
7. other ANE hymnic collections show purposeful redaction